Dementia and Alzheimer’s Book Collection – September 2024
We are very pleased to advise that the funding of a similar amount raised by the mid-winter Book Sale has gone towards the Library’s Dementia and Alzheimer’s book collection to ensure its continuity and growth. Unfortunately the allocated funding towards this was lost from the 2024/25 Financial Year Budget so Henry Gerber, our Services to Older Adults Librarian, approached the Friends for assistance.
Henry set out a very cogent argument for the Friends financial support:
- the memory-care reading programme heavily depended upon having relevant and up-to-date materials;
- the success of the programme had been significant and they were eager to see it expand to better serve the individuals and facilities that benefit from it;
- currently, the research collection was well-maintained, providing access to the latest scientific data; however given the rapidly evolving nature of neuroscience, it was essential to keep resources current as the ability for our community to access vital information on caring for loved ones with Dementia or Alzheimer’s was invaluable;
- the therapeutic book collection, which included everything from picture books to anthologies of prose and poetry, was still being developed and required further investment, with the aim being to create a collection that covered all stages of dementia, from early diagnosis to late-stage care;
- extensive research into therapy-based literature had highlighted the need for a more inclusive and diverse collection to provide better support;
- the investment sought would significantly enhance the ability to curate and expand this much needed collection which had recently been relocated within the library to improve accessibility for both customers and caregivers. This was in direct response to hearing from experts in this field and would ensure that the new location would optimise use. Expansion of the new space would depend on the availability of further additional funding which see it reach its full potential.